Koi Classification: Kohaku



There are fundamental points to look for in a kohaku. Pattern for the head, body, the tail, and the fins. A red marking is indispensable for the head, even if it has beautiful patterns on the body, a koi without a head Hi will be amoung the first culled.

The ideal shape of the head Hi is a large U spreading over the head, a head Hi which spreads all over the head is not preferable. The mouth region should be white, the Hi which spreads down to the lips, and not covering the cheeks and jaws is also disliked.
The ideal end line of the head Hi is the nose line, and at least down to the eyes. A head Hi that is neither too large nor too small is preferable. The head Hi should not spread down to the mouth tip, if it is split in some place, no mouth Hi is acceptable. The head Hi must not cover the eyes, jaws, and cheeks, but must be as large as possible.

The back should have a pattern well-balanced on both sides. A large mark on the shoulders near the head makes a Kohaku look imposing. A V shaped white cut on the shoulders is desirable. A continuous pattern from the head to shoulders without any cuts looks dull.

The distance between the last Hi and the tail joint should be about 2cm. As the fish grows larger, this distance increases, the last Hi spreading over the tail is disliked, no fins should have Hi.

The skin should be snow white, the Hi deep, each pattern is different but should show a clean cut edge.The Kohaku should look imposing, elegant and the pattern well balanced.

The basic factors of Kohaku are, Bright Hi, Sharp pattern edges, no Hi over the eyes and fins, no Hi markings spreading below the lateral line, head Hi that does not spread below the nose, and tail Hi that does not spread over the caudal fin.

Reference : Australian Koi Association